In this whimsical yet edgy barre artwork, the figure is seen performing a ballet move called “arabesque” against an abstract backdrop with a metallic sheen. Painted on canvas and cut with palette knives for effect, the piece is elegant and beguiling in equal measure.

The multi-colored dancer exhibits almost perfect form with the height of her leg and the lift in her head. As a ballet dance move or as a barre fitness exercise, arabesque engages the glute and core muscles simultaneously for an intense workout. Deep red implies the heat and struggle of the figures effort.

While she strives to vary her work, Artist Caron Shahrestani confesses to having painted more arabesques than any other dance move or barre exercise. Caron painted Arabesque at the Barre during Spring 2014. She notes the long lines of the body, the accentuated curve of the low back and the practically posh engagement of the upper back as the arabesque attributes she enjoys painting most.

The figure is notably feminine, wearing a prim bun on the crown of her head. This silhouette of elegance contrasts with the slashing horzontal knifework, which peeks through the subject to a visually compelling background.

The true interest in the backdrop lies in the layer of paint below the composition… a previous piece that was later repurposed for Arabesque at the Barre. If one looks closely, textures, lines and even shapes imply a completely different artistic direction below the newer strokes.

Unframed, this 11 X 14 inch canvas manifests a sense of time, balance and composure in any room it graces. Framed in a distressed styled wood with black painted finish, the cutting marks across the figure find harmony with the scratch-like grooves of its surroundings.

11 x 14 inches acrylic on canvas

13.5 x 16.5 black painted wood frame

$195 before shipping

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